Sudden passing of Gaelic scholar causes widespread sadness

THE sudden passing of Gaelic scholar Dr Fiachra MacGabhann has caused grief across County Mayo and in his native Blackrock, Co Louth. Dr MacGabhann (pictured) lived at Cloonee, Partry since 2001, teaching at Castlebar College of Further Education, where he was a much-loved member of staff. He was married to Clodagh Doyle, a curator at the National Museum of Country Life and the couple have three children, Conall, Fianach and Tuathla.
A member of the board of The National Folklore Collection: Cnuasach Bhéaloideas Éireann, he studied Irish Folklore at UCD and continued his passion for Celtic Studies at Queen’s University, Belfast. Later he was awarded a Government of Ireland Fellowship at NUI Galway which facilitated the publication in 2014 of a ten-volume study, entitled ‘Logainmeacha Mhaigh Eo’. Among his many publications was his editorship of ’ClΡr AmhrΡn Mhaigh Cuilinn’. He was also a keen traditional musician.
As well as being grieved by his wife and children, Dr MacGabhann is deeply missed by his mother, Caitlín; siblings Ciara, Aenit and Felim; parents-in-law Des and Betty Doyle, brothers and sisters-in-law, extended family, colleagues and friends. He was predeceased by his father, Frank. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.